Upsurge in Maryland Community College Graduates

Maryland’s 16 community colleges that the statewide graduations have grown for the fourth consecutive year, with associate’s degrees up 38 percent and certificates awarded up 47 percent.

“Completing education beyond high school is fundamental to being a part of the emerging economy,” said Dr. Bernie Sadusky, Executive Director at Maryland Association of Community Colleges. “Over 75 percent of Maryland’s future job openings will require training or coursework beyond high school; moreover job growth in these fields will increasingly out-pace demand for unskilled workers.”

Identified as critical to America’s ability to compete globally by both Governor O’Malley and President Obama, increased college completion rates are also associated with sustained economic growth, enhanced tax revenue, and reduced social support costs. Maryland’s community colleges, the largest single educator of Maryland’s undergraduate college students, have gained national attention for successful innovations in college completion.